Instructions and information processing device for gaming

ABSTRACT

An information processing device includes: a control means for causing the player to acquire a content in response to a game execution instruction from the player; an extraction means for extracting content groups of the same type from contents possessed by the player, according to an instruction from the player; a selection means for automatically selecting fusion source contents and resource contents from each of the extracted content groups; and a fusion means for collectively fusing, for each of the fusion source contents, one of the resource contents of the same type as the each of the fusion source contents. The selection means selects, as the resource contents, contents having a rarity at or below a specific level, from each of the extracted content groups.

BACKGROUND TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to instructions and an informationprocessing device for gaming.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

There are conventional games in which a player acquires content such ascharacters and items on the basis of the execution of a quest or alottery game by the player.

In this regard, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique foradvantageously changing the parameters set for possessed content on thebasis of the acquisition by the player of content of the same type asthe possessed content.

PATENT LITERATURE

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5,930,111

With a game such as this, there is usually little advantage to a playerin possessing content groups (a plurality of sets of content) of thesame type. Therefore, the player usually performs an operation ofselecting fusion source content and resource content from this contentgroup, fuses the resource content with the fusion source content, andadvantageously changes the parameters of the fusion source content.Here, if there are a plurality of content groups of the same type amongthe content possessed by the player, the player may have to perform theoperation of selecting the fusion source content and the resourcecontent for each content group, and the operation of performing thisfusion takes extra time.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments provide a technological improvement over suchconventional gaming devices. In particular, content groups can be fusedby a simple operation even when there is a plurality of content groupsof the same type among the content possessed by a player withinstructions and an information processing device according to one ormore embodiments. This provides a practical, technological improvementover conventional gaming devices that would be readily appreciated bythose skilled in the art. Further details regarding the variousimprovements and advantages will become apparent from the descriptionsthat follow.

According to one or more embodiments, instructions stored in anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium, cause a computer tofunction as: a control means for causing a player to acquire content inresponse to a game execution instruction from the player; an extractionmeans for extracting content groups of the same type from the contentpossessed by the player, according to an instruction from the player; aselection means for automatically selecting fusion source content andresource content from each of the extracted content groups; and a fusionmeans for collectively fusing, for each fusion source content, resourcecontent of the same type with the fusion source content.

According to one or more embodiments, the fusion means changes specialparameters of the fusion source content by fusing, as resource content,content of the same type with the fusion source content, and the fusionmeans does not change the special parameters of the fusion sourcecontent even if content of a different type is fused, as resourcecontent, with the fusion source content.

According to one or more embodiments, the selection means selects, asthe fusion source content, the content having the largest amount ofchange in the usage parameter, which changes according to usage in thegame by the player, from among the extracted content groups.

According to one or more embodiments, the selection means selects, asthe fusion source content, the content having the largest amount ofchange in the special parameter from among the extracted content groups.

According to one or more embodiments, the extraction means does notextract content in which the amount of change in the special parameterhas reached an upper limit.

According to one or more embodiments, the selection means selects, asresource content, content having a rarity at or below a specific level,from character groups extracted by the extraction means.

According to one or more embodiments, the selection means selects theresource content in response to an operation instruction from the playerthat specifies the rarity.

According to one or more embodiments, the selection means selects, asresource content, content acquired by the player within a specificperiod from the present time, from among the extracted content groups.

According to one or more embodiments, the control means registers eachset of fusion source content as fusion source content for automaticfusion, and when the player acquires content of the same type as theregistered fusion source content, the fusion means automatically fuses,as resource content, the acquired content of the same type with thisfusion source content.

According to one or more embodiments, the control means restricts theexecution of the game when the number of sets of content possessed bythe player is a specific number or more.

According to one or more embodiments, an information processing devicecomprises a control means (a controller) for causing a player to acquirecontent in response to an instruction to execute the game from theplayer; an extraction means (the controller) for extracting contentgroups of the same type from the content possessed by the player,according to an instruction from the player; a selection means (thecontroller) for automatically selecting fusion source content andresource content from each of the extracted content groups; and a fusionmeans (the controller) for collectively fusing, for each fusion sourcecontent, resource content of the same type as the fusion source content.

With configurations of one or more embodiments, even when there is aplurality of content groups of the same type among the content possessedby the player, the content groups can be fused by a simple operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overallconfiguration of a game system according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the hardwareconfiguration of a server device according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration ofa smartphone according to one or more embodiments as the terminal deviceshown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functionalconfiguration of a server device according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processingperformed by each functional means shown in FIG. 4 , in the game systemaccording to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen in thestrengthening fusion according to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a result screen in thestrengthening fusion according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “one ormore embodiments or embodiments”) will now be described with referenceto the appended drawings. In order to facilitate an understanding of thedescription, components and steps that are the same in the drawings willbe numbered the same whenever possible, and redundant description willbe omitted.

Overall Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overallconfiguration of the game system 1 according to one or more embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a game system 1 comprises a server device 10 andone or more terminal devices 12. The server device 10 and terminaldevices 12 are connected so as to be able to communicate via acommunication network NT such as an intranet, the Internet, or atelephone line.

The server device 10 is an information processing device that providesthe execution results of the game obtained by executing a game program(game instructions) 14, or the game program 14 itself, to the player ofeach terminal device 12 via the communication network NT. In one or moreembodiments, the server device 10 provides the game program 14 itself tothe players of the terminal devices 12.

Each terminal device 12 is an information processing device belonging toa player, and is an information processing device that provides a gameto a player by executing the game program 14 received from the serverdevice 10 after the program (instructions) has been installed. Examplesof these terminal devices 12 include video game machines, arcade gamemachines, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, personal computers, andvarious other such devices.

Hardware Configuration

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the hardwareconfiguration of the server device 10.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the server device 10 comprises a control device 20,a communication device 26, and a storage device 28. The control device20 primarily comprises a CPU (central processing unit) 22 and a memory24.

In the control device 20, the CPU 22 functions as various functionalmeans by executing specific programs (instructions) stored in the memory(including a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) 24, thestorage device 28 (including a non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium), or the like. These functional means will be describedin detail below.

The communication device 26 is constituted by a communication interfaceor the like for communicating with an external device. The communicationdevice 26 sends and receives various kinds of information to and fromthe terminal device 12, for example.

The storage device 28 is constituted by a hard disk or the like. Thestorage device 28 stores various kinds of program (instructions) andvarious kinds of information necessary for executing processing in thecontrol device 20, including the game program 14, as well as informationabout processing results.

The server device 10 can be realized by using an information processingdevice such as a dedicated or general-purpose server computer. Also, theserver device 10 may be constituted by a single information processingdevice, or may be constituted by a plurality of information processingdevices distributed on the communication network NT. Also, FIG. 2 showsonly a part of the main hardware configuration of the server device 10,and the server device 10 can comprise other components that areordinarily provided to a server. Also, the hardware configuration of theplurality of terminal devices 12 may have the same configuration as theserver device 10, except for comprising an operating means, a displaydevice, and a sound output device, for example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration ofa smartphone serving as the terminal device 12 shown in FIG. 1 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal device 12 comprises a main controlunit 30, a touch panel (touch screen) 32, a camera 34, a mobilecommunication unit 36, a wireless LAN communication unit 38, a storageunit 40, and a speaker 42.

The main control unit 30 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like. Thismain control unit 30 is connected to the touch panel 32 (used as adisplay input device), the camera 34, the mobile communication unit 36,the wireless LAN communication unit 38, the storage unit 40, and thespeaker 42. The main control unit 30 has the function of controllingthese connected devices.

The touch panel 32 has both a display function and an input function,and is constituted by a display 32A that handles the display function,and a touch sensor 32B that handles the input function. In one or moreembodiments, the display 32A can display game images including buttonimages, a cross key image, a joystick image, and other such operationinput images. The touch sensor 32B can sense the input position of theplayer with respect to a game image.

The camera 34 has the function of capturing still and/or moving imagesand storing these images in the storage unit 40.

The mobile communication unit 36 is connected to a mobile communicationnetwork via an antenna 36A, and has the function of communicating withother communication devices that are connected to this mobilecommunication network.

The wireless LAN communication unit 38 is connected to the communicationnetwork NT via an antenna 38A, and has the function of communicatingwith other devices, such as the server device 10, that are connected tothe communication network NT.

The storage unit 40 stores various kinds of programs (instructions) anddata, such as the game program 14, and play data indicating playerinformation or the progress of the game in the game program 14. Thisplay data may be stored in the server device 10.

The speaker 42 has the function of outputting game sounds and so forth.

Game Overview

The game according to one or more embodiments includes a quest or alottery game in which a player acquires characters, as an example ofcontent. Lottery games are sometimes referred to as gacha (loot box),raffle, summoning, etc. Quests are sometimes referred to as battlegames, dungeons, explorations, etc.

In one or more embodiments, there are a plurality of types of lotterygame, each of which has a different name (title). A lottery game can beselected by the player on the menu screen, etc., of the lottery game. Inone or more embodiments, when the player selects a lottery game fromamong the several types of lottery game, a screen is displayed thatallows for a one-time lottery, in which that lottery game is executedonce, or continuous lottery, in which that lottery game is executed 10times in a row. This one-time lottery is sometimes referred to as asingle gacha, a one-time raffle, a one-time summoning, or the like.Also, this continuous lottery is sometimes referred to as a ten-in-a-rowgacha, a ten-draw raffle, a ten-time summoning, or the like. Then, theplayer is allowed to acquire a randomly selected character from thelottery target character group (lottery target content group)corresponding to that lottery game, on the basis of an instruction(request) from the player to execute a one-time lottery or a continuouslottery. This lottery game is executed on the basis of the consumptionof credit. A continuous lottery consumes more credit than in a one-timelottery. Examples of this credit include paid-for items (paid items) andfree items (unpaid items). A paid-for item is an item that can beacquired by a player through a purchase transaction (payment in cash orelectronic money, credit card payment, etc.). Examples of paid-for itemsinclude paid-for stones, paid-for gacha tickets, and the like. A freeitem is an item that can be acquired by the player through game play(execution of various games). For example, free items can be acquired asrewards for logging in, clearing quests, completing missions,interacting with friends, and so on. Examples of free items include freestones, free gacha tickets, and the like. Also, these paid-for items andfree items can be used not only for executing lottery games, but alsofor various other purposes, such as restoring the current stamina valueand continuing quests. Paid-for items have more value than free items.For example, in a lottery game that can be executed by consuming onlypaid-for items, it is easier to acquire a character with a higher rarity(rarity value) than in a lottery game that can be executed by consumingfree items. Paid-for stones and free stones are sometimes referred to as“stones” without distinguishing between the two.

Also, in one or more embodiments, there are a plurality of types ofquest, each of which has a different name (title). A quest can beselected by the player on the quest menu screen or the like. When one ofthe quests is selected by the player from among the plurality of typesof quest, a screen is displayed for specifying the level of difficultyof the quest. There are, for example, beginner, intermediate, andadvanced difficulty levels. The higher is the difficulty level, thehigher is the number of appearances of enemy characters (number ofstages) or the higher is the ability of enemy characters, and the higheris the probability of acquiring clearing rewards (for example,characters) (drop rate) and the number of rewards acquired. Then, thisquest is executed on the basis of an instruction (request) by the playerto execute that quest. This quest is executed on the basis of theconsumption of the consumption stamina value associated with the quest,from the player’s current stamina value. The higher is the difficultylevel of the quest, the higher the consumption stamina value is set.Also, if the stamina associated with that quest is greater than thestamina associated with that player, the player cannot execute (play)the quest. Stamina is also sometimes referred to as life, action points(AP), battle points (BP), and so forth. The player’s current staminavalue may also be consumed at the end of a quest (once the quest iscleared or when the player retires).

Also, in one or more embodiments, a quest is executed in which a teamcomposed of one or more of the characters possessed by the player playsagainst enemy characters that appear. In such a quest, for example, theplayer instructs the characters constituting his team (characters in theteam) to attack and the like. Also, in this quest, the goal is for theplayer to reduce the hit points of the appearing enemy characters tozero or less by using the parameters and skills possessed by thecharacters in the team. When the quest has been cleared, the player isallowed to acquire clearing rewards, such as free stones, game coins,characters, items, and player experience points. In addition, if thequest is one that the player has already cleared, he may decide not toacquire any free stones. If the quest cannot be cleared, the playerselects either to continue the quest by consuming paid-for stones, freestones, continue items, etc., or to retire from the quest. The term“continue” here means giving the right to continue playing the quest toa player who could not clear the quest.

Overview of Fusion

The “fusion” according to one or more embodiments refers to using one ofthe characters possessed by the player (possessed contents) as a fusionsource character (fusion source contents), and training this onecharacter using the other characters as resource characters (resourcecontents). The resource characters used for fusion are eliminated(deleted) from the characters possessed by the player, and the number ofcharacters possessed by the player decreases.

Also, the fusion according to one or more embodiments includesstrengthening fusion and evolutionary fusion. Strengthening fusion isfusion in which various parameters (such as level and luck) of thefusion source character are changed. Evolutionary fusion is fusion inwhich the fusion source character evolves (changes) into anothercharacter.

The strengthening fusion according to one or more embodiments can beexecuted when the player selects (specifies) the strengthening fusionmenu on the management menu screen of a possessed character. In thisstrengthening fusion, the fusion source character and the resourcecharacter are selected from among the characters possessed by the playerby a selection operation or a batch selection operation by the player.For instance, in strengthening fusion, a certain number (such as 30) orless of resource characters are selected for a single fusion sourcecharacter.

Also, in the strengthening fusion according to one or more embodiments,instead of consuming a selected resource character, various parametersof the selected fusion source character are changed so as to beadvantageous for the game (such as a quest). For example, when aresource character of a type different from that of the fusion sourcecharacter is subjected to strengthening fusion with a fusion sourcecharacter, the normal parameter (such as the level) of the fusion sourcecharacter increases. The normal parameter of the fusion source characterincreases according to the character experience value set for theresource character. On the other hand, when a resource character of thesame type as the fusion source character is subjected to strengtheningfusion with a fusion source character, for example, the normal parameterand special parameter (such as luck) of the fusion source characterincrease. The special parameter of the fusion source character increasesaccording to the special parameter of the resource character of the sametype as the fusion source character. More specifically, if the specialparameter of a resource character of the same type as the fusion sourcecharacter is 10, the special parameter of the fusion source character isincreased by 10 by the strengthening fusion. Consequently, even when theplayer acquires a character of the same type as a possessed character,the special parameters of the possessed character can be changed(increased), which provides the player with a certain level ofsatisfaction.

Also, the evolutionary fusion according to one or more embodiments canbe executed by having the player select the evolutionary fusion menu onthe management menu screen of a possessed character. In thisevolutionary fusion, a fusion source character and a resource characterfrom among the characters possessed by the player are selected when theplayer performs a selection operation for a fusion source character. Forexample, in evolutionary fusion, a certain number (such as five) ofresource characters that have been associated in advance with a singlefusion source character are selected for the single fusion sourcecharacter.

Also, in the evolutionary fusion according to one or more embodiments,instead of consuming selected resource characters, a selected fusionsource character is evolved (changed) into another character. In otherwords, the fusion source character becomes associated with the characterID of another character by evolutionary fusion, and the character’sname, image, skill, rarity, and so forth change. This fusion sourcecharacter is called a pre-evolution character. This other character iscalled an evolved character. In one or more embodiments, an evolvedcharacter is set to have a rarity one higher than that of apre-evolution character, and the upper limit of the normal parameter ishigher than that of the pre-evolution character, for example.

Functional Means

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functionalconfiguration of the server device 10.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the server device (including a controller such asCPU 22) 10 comprises, as functional components, a storage means 50, acontrol means 52, an extraction means 54, a selection means 56, and afusion means 58. The storage means (including a non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium) 50 is in the form of one or morestorage devices 28. Functional means other than the storage means 50 arerealized when the control device 20 execute the game program 14 storedin the storage device 28 or the like.

The storage means 50 is a functional means for storing playerinformation 50A, character information 50B, and so on.

The player information 50A is stored for each player in association withthe player ID for that player. The player information 50A includes, forexample, a player’s name and age, possessed character information,possessed item information, and stamina information. The possessedcharacter information includes the number of possessed characters (thetotal number of possessed characters), the character ID and parametersfor each possessed character, and an automatic fusion flag. Parametersinclude normal parameters for characters, special parameters, usageparameters, and so forth. Normal parameters include level, hit points,attack power, defense power, character experience points, and so forth.The level rises (changes) when a character (fusion source character)acquires character experience value through fusion. As the level rises,the hit points, attack power, defense power, character experience value,etc., also rise (change). Special parameters include luck. Luckincreases (changes) when a character of the same type (homologous) isfused with the character. For example, if the characters in a team aremade up of characters with a high luck value on a quest, hit pointrecovery items will be more likely to appear in the quest, and thenumber of clearing rewards (such as characters) to be acquired willincrease. Examples of characters of the same type include characterssharing the same character ID, pre-evolution characters and evolvedcharacters, and characters sharing the same character ID of apre-evolution character. Characters of the same type are sometimescalled homologous characters. Usage parameters include the number oftimes a character is used, which increases (changes) according to theusage in the game. For example, the number of times of use increases(changes) depending on whether the player uses this character in a teamon a quest, or fuses the character as a fusion source character. Anautomatic fusion flag is a flag indicating whether or not toautomatically fuse a character. For example, when a player executes agame (such as a lottery game or a quest) and thereby acquires acharacter of the same type as a possessed character to which anautomatic fusion flag is attached, the possessed character with theautomatic fusion flag will be used as a fusion source character, and theacquired character of the same type will be automatically fused with thefusion source character. Possessed item information includes the numberof each item possessed by the player. Examples of these items includepaid-for stones and free stones. Stamina information includes theplayer’s current stamina value and the stamina upper limit value. Thecurrent stamina value is the value that will be consumed when the playerexecutes a quest. This current stamina value increases by a specificamount (for example, 1) when a certain amount of time has elapsed (suchas 3 minutes), and is restored to the stamina upper limit value. Also,the current stamina value is restored to the same amount as the staminaupper limit value when the player consumes paid-for stones, free stones,stamina recovery items, and the like. This stamina upper limit valueincreases as the player rank of the player goes up. The player rankincreases when the player gains player experience points, such as byplaying games (quests and the like).

The character information 50B is stored for each character inassociation with the character ID of that character. The characterinformation 50B includes, for example, the character name or image,rarity, initial values and limit values of various parameters, skills,and so forth. Rarity includes, for example, a number from 1 to 6. Thisnumber may be indicated by the number of stars, for example. Forinstance, for a character with high rarity, a limit value (upper limitvalue or lower limit value) of a skill or parameter that will beadvantageous in the course of a game (for example, a quest) is set. Morespecifically, the level or luck of a character having a rarity of 4 willvary from an initial value of 1 to an upper limit of 60. On the otherhand, the level or luck of a character having a rarity of 5, forexample, will vary from an initial value of 1 to an upper limit of 99.For example, when the level of a character is 10, the amount of changein that level is 9. Also, the luck of a character having a rarity of 5,for example, has an upper limit of the amount of change of 98. The usageparameter (number of uses) will vary from an initial value of 0 to theupper limit of 9999.

The control means 52 is a functional means for controlling the entiregame. In one or more embodiments, the control means 52 allows the playerto acquire a character (content) in response to a game executioninstruction from the player. For example, the control means 52 executesa single lottery game in response to the player’s instruction to executethat lottery game, and allows the player to acquire a character randomlyselected according to a specific lottery probability. Also, the controlmeans 52 executes a single quest in response to the player’s instructionto execute that quest, and allows the player to acquire an enemycharacter that has been fought against according to a specificacquisition probability (drop rate).

Also, the control means 52 registers each of the fusion sourcecharacters automatically selected by the selection means 56 as a fusionsource character for automatic fusion. More specifically, the controlmeans 52 attaches an automatic fusion flag to a possessed character(fusion source character) automatically selected by the selection means56.

Also, the control means 52 restricts the execution of a game when thenumber of characters possessed by the player is at or above a specificnumber. This specific number is 500, for example. This specific numbermay be increased when the player consumes paid-for items or free items.For example, when the number of characters possessed by the player is500 or more, the control means 52 restricts (prohibits) the execution ofa lottery game or a quest so that the player does not acquire any morecharacters.

The extraction means 54 is a functional means for extracting one or morecharacter groups (content groups) from the characters possessed by theplayer. In one or more embodiments, the extraction means 54 extractscharacter groups of the same type from the characters possessed by theplayer, according to an instruction from the player. For instance, theextraction means 54 extracts a character group A (character A1 andcharacter A2), a character group B (character B1, character B2, andcharacter B3), and a character group C (character C1, character C2,character C3, and character C4) from the characters possessed by theplayer. For example, the character A1 is an evolved character of thecharacter A2. Also, for example, the character B1 is an evolvedcharacter of the character B2, and the character B2 is an evolvedcharacter of the character B3. Also, for example, the character C1 andthe character C2 are the same characters sharing the same character ID,and are evolved characters of the character C3. Also, for example, thecharacter C3 is an evolved character of the character C4.

Also, the extraction means 54 does not extract a character (content) forwhich the amount of change in various parameters has reached the upperlimit. For example, the extraction means 54 excludes any characterspossessed by the player whose amount of change in the normal parameterhas reached the upper limit. More specifically, the extraction means 54will not extract any characters possessed by the player whose level hasreached the upper limit value of 99. Also, for example, the extractionmeans 54 excludes any characters possessed by the player whose amount ofchange in the special parameter has reached the upper limit. Morespecifically, the extraction means 54 will not extract any characterspossessed by the player whose luck has reached the upper limit value of99.

The selection means 56 is a functional means for automatically selectinga fusion source character and a resource character. In one or moreembodiments, the selection means 56 automatically selects a fusionsource character and a resource character from the character groupsextracted by the extraction means 54. More specifically, the selectionmeans 56 selects one character as a fusion source character from amongthe extracted character groups, and selects some or all of thecharacters other than said fusion source character as resourcecharacters from among the extracted character groups.

Also, the selection means 56 automatically selects, as a fusion sourcecharacter, the character having the largest amount of change in theusage parameter, which changes according to the use in the game by theplayer, from among the character groups extracted by the extractionmeans 54. In other words, the selection means 56 excludes any charactershaving a small amount of change in usage parameters as a fusion sourcecharacter from among the extracted character groups. For example, theselection means 56 selects the character having the largest usageparameter in the character group A (such as the character A1) as afusion source character, selects the character having the largest usageparameter in the character group B (such as the character B 1) as afusion source character, and selects the character having the largestusage parameter (such as the character C1) in the character group C as afusion source character. If there are a plurality of characters that allhave the largest amount of change in the usage parameter, the selectionmeans 56 gives priority to characters with higher rarity, characterswith larger changes in special parameters, and characters with largerchanges in normal parameters (levels) in selecting one as the fusionsource character.

Also, the selection means 56 automatically selects the character withthe largest amount of change in the special parameter as a fusion sourcecharacter from among the character groups extracted by the extractionmeans 54. In other words, the selection means 56 excludes any charactershaving a small amount of change in the special parameter from among theextracted character groups as a fusion source character. For example,the selection means 56 selects the character having the largest specialparameter in the character group A (such as character A1) as a fusionsource character, selects the character having the largest specialparameter in the character group B (such as character B 1) as a fusionsource character, and selects the character having the largest specialparameter in the character group C (such as character C2) as a fusionsource character. If there are a plurality of characters that all havethe largest amount of change in the special parameter, the selectionmeans 56 gives priority to characters having a higher rarity, charactershaving a larger change in the usage parameter, and characters having alarger change in the normal parameter (level) in selecting one as thefusion source character.

Also, the selection means 56 automatically selects, as a resourcecharacter, a character other than the selected fusion source characterwhose rarity is no more than a specific level from among the charactergroups extracted by the extraction means 54. In other words, theselection means 56 excludes any characters other than the fusion sourcecharacter whose rarity exceeds a specific level from among the extractedcharacter groups for the resource characters. For example, the selectionmeans 56 selects a character having a rarity of 4 or less that is otherthan the selected fusion source character in the character group A (suchas character A2), a character having a rarity of 4 or less that is otherthan the selected fusion source character in the character group B (suchas characters B2 and B3), and a character having a rarity of 4 or lessthat is other than the selected fusion source character in the charactergroup C (such as characters C3 and C4) as resource characters.

Also, the selection means 56 selects a resource character that is notthe fusion source character and that corresponds to the specified rarityfrom among the extracted character groups in response to an operationinstruction specifying rarity from the player. In other words, theselection means 56 excludes any characters that are not the fusionsource character and that correspond to rarities that are not specifiedfrom among the extracted character groups in response to an operationinstruction specifying rarity. For example, the selection means 56collectively selects the resource characters corresponding to thepressed operation button in response to the pressing of an operationbutton by the player that specifies a character having a rarity of 3 orless or a character having a rarity of 4 or less. More specifically,when there is an operation instruction specifying a character having ararity of 3 or less, the selection means 56 collectively selects, asresource characters, any characters having a rarity of 3 or less thatare not the fusion source character selected from the character group B(such as the character B3) and any characters having a rarity of 3 orless that is not the fusion source character selected from the charactergroup C (such as the character C4). If there is an operation instructionspecifying characters having a rarity of 4 or less, the selection means56 collectively selects, as a resource character, any characters havinga rarity of 4 or less that are not the fusion source character selectedfrom the character group A (such as the character A2), any charactershaving a rarity of 4 or less that are not the fusion source characterselected from the character group B (such as the characters B2 andcharacter B3), and any characters having a rarity of 4 or less that arenot the fusion source character selected from the character group C(such as the characters C3 and character C4).

Also, the selection means 56 selects, as resource characters, charactersacquired by the player within a specific period from the present time,from among the character groups extracted by the extraction means 54. Inother words, the selection means 56 excludes, as resource characters,any characters that the player has possessed for longer than a certainlength of time from the present time. For example, the selection means56 collectively selects any characters acquired within one week from thepresent in the character group A (such as the character A2), anycharacters acquired within one week from the present in the charactergroup B (such as the character B3), and any characters acquired withinone week from the present in the character group C (such as thecharacter C4) as resource characters.

The fusion means 58 is a functional means for fusing fusion sourcecharacters and resource characters selected by the selection means 56.In one or more embodiments, for each fusion source character selected bythe selection means 56, the fusion means 58 collectively fuses resourcecharacters of the same type as this fusion source character. Forexample, the fusion means 58 fuses the character A2 selected as aresource character with the character A1 selected as a fusion sourcecharacter in the character group A, fuses the characters B2 andcharacter B3 selected as resource characters with the character B 1selected as a fusion source character in the character group B, andfuses the characters C3 and character C4 selected as resource characterswith character C1 selected as a fusion source character in the charactergroup C. The fusion means 58 then deletes the resource characters usedfor fusion from the characters possessed by the player. In other words,the fusion means 58 consumes (disposes of) the resource characters usedfor fusion from the characters possessed by the player.

Also, the fusion means 58 changes the special parameter of the fusionsource character by fusing, as resource characters, characters of thesame type with the fusion source character. For example, when the fusionmeans 58 fuses a resource character of the same type as the fusionsource character with the fusion source character (such as instrengthening fusion), the normal parameters (such as level) and specialparameters (such as luck) of the fusion source character are increased.On the other hand, the fusion means 58 will not change the specialparameters of a fusion source character even if a character of adifferent type is fused, as a resource character, with that fusionsource character. For example, when a resource character of a typedifferent from that of the fusion source character is fused with afusion source character (such as in strengthening fusion), the fusionmeans 58 raises only the normal parameters (such as level) of the fusionsource character.

Also, when the player acquires a character of the same type as a fusionsource character registered as fusion source content for automaticfusion, the fusion means 58 automatically fuses the acquired characterof the same type, as a resource character, with the fusion sourcecharacter. For example, when the player acquires a character of the sametype as a character to which an automatic fusion flag is attached, amongthe characters possessed by the player, the fusion means 58automatically fuses acquired characters of the same type with thischaracter to which the automatic fusion flag is attached.

Processing Flow

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processingperformed by the functional means shown in FIG. 4 in the game systemaccording to one or more embodiments. Also, in the processing of thefollowing steps, in a state in which the management menu screen forpossessed characters is displayed on the touch panel 32, for example,the player performs a selection operation (instruction) to select thestrengthening fusion menu, and this is started at the point when thestrengthening fusion menu screen is displayed on the touch panel 32. Theorder and contents of the following steps can be modified as needed.

Step SP10

On the strengthening fusion menu screen, the selection means 56 receivesfrom the player a batch selection operation for fusing (aggregating)character groups of the same type included in the possessed characters.For example, the selection means 56 receives the pressing of the batchselection button by the player on the strengthening fusion menu screen.The processing then moves to the processing of step SP12.

Step SP12

The selection means 56 receives from the player an operation instructionto specify the rarity of the character selected as a resource characterfrom among the possessed characters. For example, the selection means 56accepts from the player the pressing of a specification button thatspecifies a rarity of 3 or less, or a specification button thatspecifies a rarity of 4 or less. The processing then shifts to theprocessing of step SP14.

Step SP14

The extraction means 54 extracts character groups of the same type fromthe characters possessed by the player. For example, the extractionmeans 54 extracts from the characters possessed by the player acharacter group A including the characters A1 and A2, a character groupB including the character B1, the character B2, and the character B3,and a character group C including the character C1, the character C2,the character C3, and the character C4. The extraction means 54 excludesfrom the characters possessed by the player any characters for which theamount of change in the special parameter (luck) has reached the upperlimit. The processing then shifts to the processing of step SP16.

Step SP16

The selection means 56 automatically selects one character as a fusionsource character from each character group extracted in step SP14. Forexample, the selection means 56 selects the character with the largestamount of change in the special parameter from each extracted charactergroup as the fusion source character to be selected. More specifically,the selection means 56 automatically selects as fusion source charactersthe character A1 from the character group A, the character B1 from thecharacter group B, and the character C2 from the character group C. Theprocessing then shifts to the processing of step SP18.

Step SP18

The selection means 56 automatically selects no more than a certainnumber of characters (such as 5) as resource characters from among thecharacter groups extracted in step SP14. For example, the selectionmeans 56 removes the fusion source character selected in step SP16 fromeach extracted character group, and then selects a character of therarity specified in step SP12 as the resource character to be selected.More specifically, when there is an operation instruction to specify acharacter having a rarity of 4 or less in step SP12, the selection means56 collectively selects the character A2 from the character group A, thecharacter B2 and the character B3 from the character group B, and thecharacter C3 and the character C4 from the character group C as resourcecharacters. The processing then shifts to the processing of step SP20.

Step SP20

The control means 52 displays on the touch panel 32 a confirmationscreen 60 for fusing the resource characters selected in step SP18 withthe fusion source characters selected in step SP16.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen 60 inthe strengthening fusion according to one or more embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the confirmation screen 60 is provided with afusion source character information area 62, a resource characterinformation area 64, and a fusion instruction button 66. The fusionsource character information area 62 shows the character selected as thefusion source character from each character group. The resourcecharacter information area 64 shows no more than a certain number ofcharacters selected as resource characters from each character group.The fusion instruction button 66 is used to issue an instruction for thestrengthening fusion of the selected resource characters with theselected fusion source characters.

Returning to FIG. 5 , the processing shifts to the processing of stepSP22.

Step SP22

In response to the pressing of the fusion instruction button on theconfirmation screen by the player, the fusion means 58 fuses each of theresource characters selected in step SP18 with each of the fusion sourcecharacters selected in step SP16. That is, the fusion means 58 changesthe parameters of the fusion source characters instead of eliminating(deleting) each of the resource characters from the characters possessedby the player. More specifically, instead of fusing the character A2with the character A1 and deleting the character A2 from the possessedcharacters, the fusion means 58 raises the normal parameters and thespecial parameters of the character A1. Also, instead of fusing thecharacter B2 and the character B3 with the character Bland deleting thecharacter B2 and the character B3 from the possessed characters, thefusion means 58 raises the normal parameters and the special parametersof the character B1. Also, instead of fusing the character C3 and thecharacter C4 with the character C2 and deleting the character C3 and thecharacter C4 from the possessed characters, the fusion means 58 raisesthe normal parameters and the special parameters of the character C2.The processing then shifts to the processing of step SP24.

Step SP24

The control means 52 registers each character used as a fusion sourcecharacter in step SP22 as a fusion source character for automaticfusion. More specifically, the control means 52 attaches an automaticfusion flag to the character A1, the character B1, and the character C2in the possessed character information of the player information 50A.The processing then shifts to the processing of step SP26.

Step SP26

The control means 52 displays on the touch panel 32 a result screen 70showing the result of the fusion performed in step SP22.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the result screen 70 in thestrengthening fusion according to one or more embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the result screen 70 is provided with astrengthening result information area 72. The strengthening resultinformation area 72 shows the result of strengthening (training) of eachof the fusion source characters. For example, it is shown in thestrengthening result information area 72 that a normal parameter (level)and a special parameter (luck) of each of the fusion source charactershave changed (increased).

The series of processing shown in FIG. 5 is then ended.

Effect

As in the embodiments given above, a computer is made to function as acontrol means 52 for allowing the player to acquire content in responseto an instruction to execute the game from the player; an extractionmeans 54 for extracting each of the content groups of the same type fromthe content possessed by the player, according to an instruction fromthe player; a selection means 56 for automatically selecting fusionsource content and resource content from each of the extracted contentgroups; and a fusion means 58 for collectively fusing, for each fusionsource content, resource content of the same type as the fusion sourcecontent.

With this configuration, even if there are a plurality of content groupsof the same type among the content possessed by the player, fusionsource content and resource content can be automatically selected fromeach content group and fused collectively. Therefore, the player canfuse possessed content of the same type with each other by a simpleoperation.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the fusion means 58 changes thespecial parameters of fusion source content by fusing, as resourcecontent, content of the same type with the fusion source content, andthe fusion means 58 will not change the special parameters of fusionsource content even if content of a different type is fused, as resourcecontent, with the fusion source content.

With this configuration, the player can collectively change the specialparameters of each content group of the same type with a simpleoperation, so the game can proceed more advantageously.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the selection means 56 selects, asfusion source content, the content having the largest amount of changein the usage parameter, which varies according to usage in the game bythe player, from among the extracted content groups.

With this configuration, each of the possessed contents used by theplayer in a game can be automatically selected as fusion source content,and these can all be fused together. Therefore, the player can changethe special parameters of each of the most frequently used contents fromamong the possessed contents without having to perform an operation toselect each content as the fusion source content, and this allows thefusion desired by the player to be carried out by a simple operation.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the selection means 56 selects, asfusion source content, the content having the largest amount of changein special parameters, from among the extracted content groups.

With this configuration, the player can automatically select, as fusionsource content, each of the possessed contents whose special parametersare changed the most, and fuse them all together. Therefore, the playercan change the special parameters of each of the contents without havingto perform an operation to select as the fusion source content a contentwhose special parameters are changed the most from among the possessedcontents, and this allows the fusion desired by the player to be carriedout by a simple operation.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the extraction means 54 will notextract content whose amount of change in a special parameter hasreached an upper limit.

With this configuration, content whose amount of change in a specialparameter has already reached the upper limit will not be selected asfusion source content or resource content, so the player does not haveto perform any unnecessary fusion. This allows the fusion desired by theplayer to be carried out by a simple operation.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the selection means 56 selects, asresource content, content having a rarity of no more than a specificlevel from among the character groups extracted by the extraction means54.

With this configuration, the player can collectively dispose of, asresource content, any content having a low rarity, i.e., which is easyto acquire, and can keep any content having a high rarity, i.e., whichis more difficult to acquire, as possessed content. Consequently, theplayer can collectively dispose of the low-rarity possessed contents,and can change the special parameters of each of the fusion sourcecontents all at once, and this allows the fusion desired by the playerto be carried out by a simple operation.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the selection means 56 selectsresource content according to an operation instruction from the playerto specify the rarity.

With this configuration, the player can select the resource content tobe fused for each fusion source content all at once by issuing anoperation instruction to specify the rarity. Also, because the playercan choose the rarity of content to be disposed of as resource contentaccording to the number of possessed contents, the skill level, and soforth, this allows the fusion desired by the player to be carried out bya simple operation.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the selection means 56 selects, asresource content, the content acquired by the player within a specificperiod from the present time, from among the extracted content groups.

With this configuration, the player can dispose of content acquiredwithin a specific period from the present time, as resource content, andcan keep necessary content possessed by the player for a longer periodthan this specific period, as possessed content. Therefore, if there iscontent of the same type as the possessed content among the contentacquired within a specific period from the present time, the player cancollectively dispose of this content, and can change the specialparameters of possessed content all at once, which allows the fusiondesired by the player to be carried out by a simple operation.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the control means 52 registers eachfusion source content as fusion source content for automatic fusion, andwhen the player acquires content of the same type as the registeredfusion source content, the fusion means 58 automatically fuses, asresource content, this acquired content of the same type with the fusionsource content.

With this configuration, all the fusion source content that has beencollectively fused is registered as fusion source content for automaticfusion, so even when the player acquires content of the same type asthis registered fusion source content, the operation for performingfusion will take less time and effort.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the control means 52 restricts theexecution of the game when the number of sets of content possessed bythe player is a specific number or more.

With this configuration, the player can collectively reduce the numberof sets of possessed content by a simple operation even when theexecution of the game is restricted because the number of sets ofpossessed content is equal to or greater than a specific number.

Modification Examples

The present invention is not limited to or by the above specificexamples. Specifically, even if a person skilled in the art were to makeappropriate design changes to the above embodiments, that would also beincluded in the scope of the present invention so long as it had thefeatures of the present invention. Also, the elements included in theabove embodiments and in the modification examples given below could becombined whenever technically possible, and such combinations are alsoencompassed by the scope of the present invention so long as thefeatures of the present invention are included.

For example, in the above embodiments, the selection means 56 selectsfusion source characters and resource characters from among extractedcharacter groups, but the resource characters to be selected may bechanged according to the special parameters of the selected fusionsource characters. For example, the selection means 56 selects aresource character from a character group so that the amount of changein a special parameter of the fusion source character does not exceed anupper limit. More specifically, when the luck of the fusion sourcecharacter is 95, the selection means 56 selects a resource character sothat the total luck will be 4 or less, and the luck of the fusion sourcecharacter is kept from exceeding the upper limit of 99.

Also, the selection means 56 may accept a condition specificationoperation for selecting a fusion source character from among theextracted character groups either before or after accepting a batchselection operation from the player on the strengthening fusion menuscreen. These conditions include, for example, that the usage parameterbe the highest, that the special parameter be the highest, or that therarity be the highest. In this case, the selection means 56 selects thefusion source character from among the extracted character groupsaccording to the condition specified in the operation in step SP16.

Also, the selection means 56 may accept a condition specificationoperation for selecting a resource character from among the extractedcharacter groups before accepting a batch selection operation from theplayer on the strengthening fusion menu screen. These conditionsinclude, for example, that the usage parameter be a certain number (suchas 1) or less, that the special parameter be a certain number (such as2) or less, and that the rarity be a certain number (such as 4) or less.In this case, the selection means 56 selects a resource character fromamong the extracted character groups according to the condition acceptedby the specification operation in step SP16.

Also, the selection means 56 may exclude a selected resource characterfrom consideration for selection, in response to an operationinstruction from the player. For example, the selection means 56 willnot use a displayed resource character if that resource character hasbeen tapped or swiped by the player in a state in which the confirmationscreen is displayed in strengthening fusion.

Also, in the above embodiments, the fusion means 58 consumes (disposesof) resource characters in fusion, but content possessed by the playermay also be consumed in addition to resource characters. For example,the fusion means 58 may consume coins or medals possessed by the playeraccording to the number of resource characters.

Also, in the above embodiments, the fusion means 58 changed the luck,which is a special parameter, by fusing characters of the same type, butthe special parameter may instead be skill level. For example, when thefusion means 58 fuses, as a resource character, a character whose skillis set to be the same as that of the fusion source character, the fusionmeans 58 raises the skill level of the fusion source character.

Also, the fusion means 58 may change the limit value of a normalparameter when a character of the same type as the fusion sourcecharacter is fused as a resource character. For example, when the upperlimit of the level of the fusion source character is 99, the fusionmeans 58 raises the upper limit of that level to 109 by fusing, as aresource character, a character of the same type with the fusion sourcecharacter.

Also, in the above embodiments, it is mainly described that the fusionmeans 58 raises a special parameter (luck) by fusing characters of thesame type, but the special parameter may instead be lowered by fusingcharacters of the same type. For example, if the special parameter isthe number of turns in which a skill can be used, the fusion means 58lowers the number of turns in which the skill can be used in the fusionsource character by fusing characters of the same type, and reduces thenumber of turns until the skill can be used, to advantageously changethe progress of the game. In this case, for example, the characterinformation 50B includes 15, which is the initial value of the number ofturns in which the skill can be used, and 5, which is a limit value(lower limit value). The upper limit of the amount of change in thenumber of turns in which this skill can be used is 10.

Also, in the above embodiments, it was mainly described that the contentis a character, but the content may instead be items such as weapons orarmor, or cards, avatars, coins, points, and the like.

Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments maybe devised without departing from the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10 ... server device (computer), 12 ... terminal device, 50 ... storagemeans, 52 ... control means, 54 ... extraction means, 56 ... selectionmeans, 58 ... fusion means

What is claimed is:
 1. A program that causes a computer to function as:a control means for causing a player to acquire a content in response toa game execution instruction from the player; an extraction means forextracting content groups of the same type from contents possessed bythe player, according to an instruction from the player; a selectionmeans for automatically selecting fusion source contents and resourcecontents from each of the extracted content groups; and a fusion meansfor collectively fusing, for each of the fusion source contents, one ofthe resource contents of the same type as the each of the fusion sourcecontents, wherein the selection means selects, as the resource contents,contents having a rarity at or below a specific level, from each of theextracted content groups.
 2. A program that causes a computer tofunction as: a control means for causing a player to acquire a contentin response to a game execution instruction from the player; anextraction means for extracting content groups of the same type fromcontents possessed by the player, according to an instruction from theplayer; a selection means for automatically selecting fusion sourcecontents and resource contents from each of the extracted contentgroups; and a fusion means for collectively fusing, for each of thefusion source contents, one of the resource contents of the same type asthe each of the fusion source contents, wherein the control meansoutputs a confirmation screen showing the resource contents of the sametype as the fusion source contents, which are the resource contents thatare selected by the selection means for each of the fusion sourcecontents selected by the selection means and are used for fusing withthe fusion source contents, prior to the fusion by the fusion means. 3.The program according claim 1, wherein the control means restricts theexecution of the game when the number of the contents possessed by theplayer is a specific number or more.
 4. The program according claim 2,wherein the control means restricts the execution of the game when thenumber of the contents possessed by the player is a specific number ormore.
 5. An information processing device, comprising: a control meansfor causing a player to acquire a content in response to a gameexecution instruction from the player; an extraction means forextracting content groups of the same type from contents possessed bythe player, according to an instruction from the player; a selectionmeans for automatically selecting fusion source contents and resourcecontents from each of the extracted content groups; and a fusion meansfor collectively fusing, for each of the fusion source contents, one ofthe resource contents of the same type as the each of the fusion sourcecontents, wherein the selection means selects, as the resource contents,contents having a rarity at or below a specific level, from each of theextracted content groups.
 6. An information processing device,comprising: a control means for causing a player to acquire a content inresponse to a game execution instruction from the player; an extractionmeans for extracting content groups of the same type from contentspossessed by the player, according to an instruction from the player; aselection means for automatically selecting fusion source contents andresource contents from each of the extracted content groups; and afusion means for collectively fusing, for each of the fusion sourcecontents, one of the resource contents of the same type as the each ofthe fusion source contents, wherein the control means outputs aconfirmation screen showing the resource contents of the same type asthe fusion source contents, which are the resource contents that areselected by the selection means for each of the fusion source contentsselected by the selection means and are used for fusing with the fusionsource contents, prior to the fusion by the fusion means.